We went camping with friends earlier this week. We’ve done this every year for the last six years. We borrow a tent trailer from our very generous friends and this year we camped at Sunset Beach in Watsonville {near Santa Cruz, CA}. These are the guys Steve graduated from high school with {and their families}. Miraculously, the kids get along great and the wives are some of my closest friends. It’s pretty awesome.

Camping is a mixed bag for us. David is super tricky because he has a hard time sleeping away from home and he wants to wander and explore. Mixing those things in with a campground {lots of people trying to sleep, hot stoves, campfires, and wide open spaces} it means that we have to watch him every second. So camping isn’t relaxing for us, but it’s tons of fun. And even more, David slept like a CHAMP this year. Getting a good night’s sleep makes the days so much easier.

I have lots of pics to share, ready or not!

The kids are getting so big! I love watching these kids grow up together and collecting memories they’ll treasure forever. This is the stuff of childhood summers!

Do you like camping? What are your favorite spots? Do you tent camp or use a trailer?

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Hello Monday! We are in the thick of summer fun and business craziness. The two seem to go hand in hand–and we’re doing our best to roll with it. Last week the boys and I met up with my twin sis and her twin daughters to kick off summer with some swimming, good food and hotel silliness. We had so much fun! How about some hellos?

***Hello Monday is where I greet the new week with an open heart and a fresh perspective. It’s a new beginning–and there’s so much to be thankful for! Join me by leaving your own hellos in the comments section or linking up a hello monday post there!

Hello sunscreen! Sometimes putting on sunscreen feels like a part time job!

Hello swimming and sunshine. David loved the pool–it was nice and warm. And of course the other kids swam for hours.

Hello email and meetings between trips to the beach and the ice cream shop. Sometimes it flows and sometimes I feel pulled and frustrated.

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Our new summer collection is here! You guys, I have been so excited to share this with you and now I can! Each piece is full of meaning and heart.

Summer is such a special season, don’t you think? The kids are out of school and the regular routine is out the window.

Summer is for sandy toes and splashing in the waves.
Summer is fresh strawberries, sunscreen and staying up past bedtime.
Summer is for taking silly selfies that in ten years will be priceless mementos of memories made.
Summer means the sun on our shoulders and our hearts full of love.

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Last week I saw a homeless woman with two kids standing on the corner with a sign asking for help.

The younger son had a blanket tied around his neck like a cape. As he jumped around, pretending to be a superhero, I thought back to the days when my own son, Matthias insisted on wearing a cape everywhere. The older daughter was drawing on a sketch pad. My kids do the same things. I wondered what it would be like to keep my boys occupied while standing on a street corner for hours. It seemed exhausting.

I kept driving because I’m busy and she’s probably not really homeless — she’s just trying to get a handout. At least those were my first thoughts. I just wanted it to go away.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about her. On Sunday, our pastor encouraged us to pay attention to that tug on our hearts and stop to listen to God’s prompting. Ugh! I didn’t want to stop. I didn’t want to pray. But I felt that tug on my heart, so I pulled over the car and sat for a moment.

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You know how there are no new episodes of your favorite shows during the summer? That’s kind of how this outfit is–all repeats. In fact, this vest and these sandals just made an appearance last week. What can I say, it’s summer. I’m grabbing whatever is closest and keeping it simple. I’ve wore all the pieces before–but never together. So that part’s new, right?

This dress was a thrift find. I like the length–so easy.

The vest adds some interest and honestly, I love having pockets.

These sandals are fun. I just added insoles and it makes them so much more comfortable. Hooray for comfort.

Same bag and it’s so full. Who knows what’s in there. It’s time for a clean out, for sure.

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Hello friends! We had a weekend packed with fun and productivity. We saw Inside Out {which we loved!}, ate at our favorite restaurant, celebrated Father’s Day and hiked Yucca Creek Ridge. It was a very warm day and the hike is steep with little shade. But we pushed out at had a great time. How about some hellos for a brand new week?

***Hello Monday is where I greet the new week with an open heart and a fresh perspective. It’s a new beginning–and there’s so much to be thankful for! Join me by leaving your own hellos in the comments section or linking up a hello monday post there!***

Hello yucca plants. They are actually quite sharp and we all got a few scratches during the hike.

Hello sun on my shoulders. I loaded up on screen and still managed to get a little sunburn.

Hello happy David on the hike, happy David during the movie and miserable David during dinner. Thankfully we had a server who was super speedy and we were in and out of the restaurant in 30 minutes.

Hello Matthias getting so good at hiking! I love being outdoors with him.

Hello hearing a rattlesnake on the trail and picking up the pace to get away. We never saw it, but it sure sounded like a rattle!

Hello working on sprucing up the master bedroom this week. Fun!

Hello exciting things to share with you this week. Stay tuned!

Hello to YOU! It’s a brand new week with beauty waiting to be found. Will you join me?

Leave some hellos in the comments section or link your own hello monday post there.

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It’s officially summer time over here {even if June 21 is the official start of the season}. We are in full summer mode–which means sleeping in {David slept until 9:30 yesterday!}, pancakes, trips to the beach, ice cream, and art projects. And then of course I’m trying to squeeze in work–so much to do. It’s summer craziness!

I get dressed in the morning, head to the workshop for a couple hours {we have a summer sitter} and then spend the afternoons with the boys and the evenings as a family. As soon as I get home I kick off my heels and slip on my flip flops. Ahhh.

I used to never wear sleeveless shirts because my arms are so fair and I felt embarrassed. But lately, I’m like, who cares? Probably no one except me. But if someone doesn’t like my arms? Oh well, right?!

Also, more random information you need to know, I’ve had this vest for a couple years. I’ve put it on three different mornings and then took it off. Yesterday I decided to either wear it or donate it to a thrift shop. And I wore it. So it will stay around for a while.

I’m loving these new sandals. And of course a well-worn leather bag.

This necklace is a favorite. I have four stones set–one for each of us. I love it!

Rings, rings and more rings. I’m pretty sure they are happier when stacked together.

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I found this swingy skirt at the local goodwill for $4 last week. Yay! I love this length–so easy. The camera caught every movement of the skirt, so it looks a bit psychedelic. Just keeping things interesting around here!

Just a black tank, denim jacket and sandals. Easy and comfortable.

I love a midi length skirt. That’s my favorite length!

I got these sandals at Old Navy last year and they are starting to wear out. And I’m kinda freaking out about it because I wear them all the time. I mean, it’s a not a major crisis but I really like these sandals.

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Hello friends! It’s our last week of school and I’m trying to figure out how to make summer as relaxing and productive as possible. We have fun things planned but also lots to do–work, house stuff and just life. I always image summer as this super relaxed season but I always end up rushing from one thing to the next instead of slowing down.

Today I’ve got a few pics of our kitchen sink to share. This is the spot where countless dishes have been washed. I love the light from the kitchen window and a few pretty things that make it a special space. It’s Monday, how about some hellos for a brand new week?

***Hello Monday is where I greet the new week with an open heart and a fresh perspective. It’s a new beginning–and there’s so much to be thankful for! Join me by leaving your own hellos in the comments section or linking up a hello monday post there!***

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Hello friends! It’s Monday and we’re jumping back in after being at a trade show all weekend. It was great to get time with our team, but hard to be away from the boys. I’m always trying to figure out how to make this work and it’s never perfect. Thankfully, they were with one of the most aweseomest babysitters ever and they are flexible. How about some hellos?

***Hello Monday is where I greet the new week with an open heart and a fresh perspective. It’s a new beginning–and there’s so much to be thankful for! Join me by leaving your own hellos in the comments section or linking up a hello monday post there!***

Hello coming home to a clean house. Did I mention we have the best babysitter/nanny ever?

Hello tired. Trade shows are not my favorite thing but we learned a ton and had some great time with our team.

Hello catching up on cuddles and snuggles.

Hello pancakes for breakfast.

Hello June. Yay!

Hello counting down the last days of school. Only 9 left. What?!

Hello summer–I love slow mornings and long days with sunshine.

Hello projects to work on and designs to create.

Hello making lists of the lists I need to make.

Hello brand new, beautiful week. There are good things ahead! What are you saying hello to this week? Leave some hellos in the comments or link your own hello monday post there.